On Sunday, the Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, hosted a crucial meeting with the UN Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily in Tripoli.
The talks focused on the latest developments in the political process. They also discussed the political and human rights situation in the country and ways to achieve successful elections based on the draft laws produced by the 6+6 Joint Committee.
The two engaged in dialogue about the challenges confronting the electoral process and deliberated over possible solutions with the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.
On his part, Dbaiba affirmed that elections are the key to meeting the Libyan people’s expectations. He underscored the urgency to end the transitional phase and march toward elections, regulated by equitable laws.
Attendees included Adel Jumaa, the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, and Walid Al-Lafi, the Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs.
The meeting underlined a continued commitment by all involved parties towards steering Libya towards a more stable, and democratic future. Backed by the UN, Libya is poised to face and overcome current challenges and lay a solid foundation for free, fair, and democratic elections.
Libya has experienced significant political instability since the 2011 overthrow of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. The power vacuum left in the wake of Gaddafi’s death led to the rise of various factions vying for control, resulting in a civil war, and fracturing the country into several governing bodies.
The UN has been instrumental in facilitating political dialogues aimed at forming a unified government and conducting free and fair elections. In 2020, the UN-mediated Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) agreed to form an interim government, leading to the appointment of Dbaiba as PM in March 2021.
Despite these efforts, Libya’s transition to a stable democracy is fraught with challenges. Key issues include disagreement over the legal framework for elections, insecurity, economic instability, and the presence of foreign forces and mercenaries.